Paige Walker is on top of the world. She lives in the best city, has a job she loves, and gets to work with her two best friends. Her hard work is finally paying off, as she has exceeded all her employment goals. She's about to meet with her boss to discuss the promotion due her. But the boss from hell has other plans. A major client has pulled his account, and instead of a promotion, Paige and her friends, Frankie and Eva, are now unemployed.

The three friends live in an apartment complex owned by Paige's brother, Matt, so the four of them often meet to socialize, sometimes including Matt's best friend, Jake. Paige and Jake have somewhat of a history. When Paige was a teenager, she and Jake were very close, that is, until Paige confessed her love, which sent Jake running, after he tried to let her down gently. Paige was humiliated, and since then, their relationship has been rocky, at best. In the intervening years, Jake has become very successful and wealthy. He also never dates one woman more than a month before he moves on to the next one. When he learns that all three women have lost their jobs, he urges them to go into business for themselves. After much soul searching, they decide to give it a shot, and Urban Genie is born.

Despite their concentrated efforts, they are unable to find clients, and are rapidly running out of money. Jake decides to help out, and hires them to host a huge event, knowing that it will jump start their business. The problem is, this throws Jake and Paige into each other's company quite a bit. Though Jake rejected her all those years ago, it wasn't for lack of desiring her, it was to keep her safe from him. Inevitably, the passion they are both feeling flares up, and Paige convinces Jake that she's game for an affair with no strings attached. Jake has wanted her and resisted her for so long, that he agrees. Not only is their chemistry off the charts, but they regain the closeness and friendship they had years ago. But as expected, their newfound happiness is short lived.

I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, but I love Sarah Morgan's writing style. She creates characters and situations that are complex and real. Paige had a very vulnerable childhood, as she had to deal with a serious heart condition. Jake's rejection hurt her deeply, but she pulled herself together and moved on. I admire her strength and fortitude and dedication to her friends. I didn't like Jake as much at first because of his commitment phobia, and his playboy image. I warmed up to him when I realized that he truly did not want to hurt Paige, and felt he wasn't good enough for her. SLEEPLESS IN MANHATTAN took me on a passionate, bumpy, and emotional ride to Paige and Jake's happy ever after, and I enjoyed every bit of the journey.